Electric gear-shifter



A. J. TAYLOR, JR.

ELECTRIC GEAR SHIFTER.

APPLlCATlON man JAN- 17, 1919.

1,336,796, Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A.J.TAYLOR,JR.

ELECTRIC GEAR SHIFTEB. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1919.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

' INVENTOI? ZSQ M ZOZJZ" ATTORNEYfi 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. J. TAYLOR, JR- flzcrmc GEAR-SHIFTER.

, 1 APPLICATION FILED JAN. I7 1919. r 1,336,796. Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- xNink 4 'l'l'i'l WITNESSES: INVENTOR 1&2 Jz zm: an

UNITED STATES PATENT oFnIoE.

ASA J. TAYLOR, 33,, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO HARRY M. THOMPSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC GEAR-SHIFTER.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

' Application. filed January 17, 1919. Serial N o. 271,582.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ASA J. TAYLOR, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Gear-Shifters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved "electric gear shifter, which is particularly useful in connection with motor vehicles; and the primary object is to provide improved and simplified electric gear-shifting mechanism-which is thoroughly adapted to its purpose.

In the preferred embodiment of the inventicn, the gears are shifted by means of a motor, or motors, mounted directly on the gear-case of the transmission mechanism of the automobile, the gear-shifting rods of the transmission mechanism being equipped with racks with which mesh pinions on the shafts of a pair of armatures; the actuation of the armatures, in turn, is controlled by a single switch, which is capable of swinging in two planes, the operating lever moving in an H-slot in 'a switch-casing carried by the steering post; the movement of said switch is controlled by an electro-ma netic lock designed to prevent grinding o the gears against each other, in case they do not move at once into registration in the gear-shiftlng operation; and the operating handle of the switch is removable and the switch-casin is fitted with a closure which can be locke to prevent access to the switch, when the car is not in use. a

Various novel features and combinations will be described in the specification and set forth in the claims.

The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, .in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a broken elevational view of the transmission mechanism of an automobile equipped with my improved electric gear shifter, the section being taken approximately as indicated at line 1 on Fig. 2; Fig. 1 a diagrammatic view illustrating a preferred form of armature winding; Fig. 2, a broken transverse vertical section taken as indicated at line 2 on Fig.1; Fig. 3, a broken elevational view showing the steering post of an automobile equipped with the improved switch mechanism employed; Fig.

' shifting rods,

4, a broken plan view, diagrammatic in its nature, showing the rack-equipped gearand the improved switch mechanism provided with an electro-magnetic lock having a circuit controlled by a gear-shifting rod; Fig. 5, a broken vertical sectional View of the switch mechanism; F g. 6, an-elevational View of the same; and Fig. 7, a d1agrammatic view showing the circuits (in simplest form) of one of the motors employed, the switch device being shown in section'taken at the line 7-7 on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

i In the embodiment illustrated, disregardmg F 1g. 1 for the present, A represents the gear-case of the transmission mechanism of a motor vehicle which is equipped with a removable top plate A B, a gear-shifter in the form of a rod presenting a rack slidablv mounted in the plate A and equi )ped with a yoke B adapted to shift a gear which serves to establish either direct drive .or intermediate forward drive, the direction in which the yoke is shifted; C, a companion gear-shifter slidably mounted in the top plate A and equipped with a yoke C, which is adapted to shift a pair of gears C C and establish slow forward depending upon drive, or reverse drive, depending upon the direction in which the yoke is shifted; D, a counter-shaft in the gear-case equipped with gears D D and D corresponding with intermediate speed forward, slow speed forward, and reverse; E, an electric motor-cas- 111g having armatures F and G mounted therein, the armature F having a shaft F equipped with a pinion F which meshes with the rack of the gear-shifter B, andthe armature G having a tubular shaft G through which the shaft F extends, and which is equipped with a pinion G which meshes with the-rack of the gear-shifter C; -H, a battery or source of electric energy for form of top plate and a motor-attaching plate are provided; and the gear-shifters B and C are specially formed to provide the racks with which mesh the pinions of the armature shafts.

In Fig. 1, K represents the driving-shaft of the transmission mechanism. As is known, this is adapted to be actuated,

through the medium of a suitable clutch, by

the crank-shaft of an internal combustion engine. L, represents the stub-shaft of the transmission mechanism which is in alinement with the driving shaft K, and the shaft L is adapted to be connected in any suitable manner, as through a universal joint w1th the shaft which transmits power to the traction wheels of the machine. shaft K is equipped with a pinion K which meshes with a gear D on the counter-shaft D, so that the counter-shaft D rotates continuously when-the driving shaft rotates. The gear B is equipped with an internal positive clutch which is adapted to engage a clutch K and establish direct drive from the shaft K to the shaft L when the gear 13 is shifted forwardly. When the gear B is shifted rearwardly, it moves intomesh with the gear D establishing intermediate forward speed. When the pair of gears C C is shifted forwardly, the gear C is brought into mesh with the gear D thus establishing slow speed forward; and when said pair of gears C C is shifted rearwardly, reverse drive is established from the p(iJnion D through an idler l to the ear b The motor-casing E is provided with poles E E upon which are field-windings. In the illustration given, the motor-casing serves for both armatures, and the poles and field-windings serve for both armatures, although the armatures are used independently. Obviously, the field-windings might be separate, or, if desired, the two motors might be formed wholly independent of each other.

The motor-casing E is shown secured to, or formed integrally with, a vertically-disposed attaching plate E which is secured by bolts to the casing A and its top-plate A The armature shafts, which are concentric, extend through the plate E, as

shown in Fig. 2.

The switch-device J is provided with an actuating lever J which is capable of swinging in'two planes to enable the switch to operate upon either one of two series of contacts, namely, an upper series of contacts J and a lower series of contacts J with which the gear-casing is equipped internally. The number of contacts of each of said series corresponds with the number of armature-segments of the corresponding armature of the motor-device. In the illustration given, each armature is provided The driving gized as to present positive poles at their outer ends. These se ents are connected in pairs by the windmgs, and the circuits are so arranged that when the circuit is closed by the switch-lever J one armature segment will be attracted by the field pole E and the armature-segment which is directly opposite will be attracted by the field pole E The armature-segments are adapted to be successively energized to efiect progressive rotation of the armature through approximately 90 .in one direction or the other, depending upon the direction in which the switch-lever J is shifted.

The contacts of the upper series J are designated 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, the contact 1 corresponding with the neutral position of the gears; and connected with these contacts, respectively, are conductors 1, 2 3, 4", 5, 6, and 7 The series of contacts 5 controls the armature F; and the series of contacts J 3 controls the armature G. The lower series of contacts J are designated 1, 2", 3

. 4 5", 6 and 7 The wiring for each armature is the same, so that the diagram shown in Fig. 7 may be taken as typical, showing thence to the pivotal portion of the switchlever J lower series of contacts J 3 has connected therewith a conductor 1, which corresponds with the conductor 1 of the neutral contact 1 of the upper contact series J The remaining contacts of the lower series J 3 are wired in a manner similar to the wiring of the upper series of contacts shown in Fig. 7.

Current passes from the battery H through the conductor 8 and field coils to the switch lever J and thence through one of the contacts .of either the J 2 series or the J 3 series, dependin upon which armature is being used to e eat a gear-shift. The conductor 1 from the neutral contact 1 of the upper contact series J extends to the armature and supplies'windings for a pair of armature coils 1* and 1", which are diature poles 2 and 2 of opposite polarity, andthe conductor 2" then connects with the conductor 9 leading to the return side of the battery. The other conductors 3, 4, etc., furnish for pairs of polesdesignated by corresponding numerals with the ilii rdicgs d ands, as will be understood from The windings are such that if the field The neutral contact 1 of the shown, the casing comprises a lower section,

or box, 10, and a top section, or flanged cap-plate 10. cured to the steering post of the automobile in any desired manner, as by means of the split-collar section 10". The cap-section 10 of the casing is shown secured to the body part 10 by screws 11 (F ig. 6). The casing is provided at the side removed from the steering post with an H-slot, designated 12,

and comprising an upper slot 12 a lower slot 12', and a connecting slot 12 The H- slot is formed partly in the flange of the cap-section and partly in the wall of the lower section of the casing, in the illustration given. In the casing of the controller, near the inner end thereof, is journaled a vertical pivot-shaft 13, with which the conductor 8 connects. To the pivot-shaft 13 is connected the lever J by means of a transverse pivot 14. The connection is such as to allow universal movement of the switch-lever J The lever J is adapted to be supported in the neutral position by springs 15. In the neutral position, the switch-lever occupies the cross-slot 12 of the H-slot.

It is preferred to form the switch-lever J in two portions, namely, the inner part 16, which is connected with-the pivot-shaft 13 and housed within the casing; and a removable handle-portion 16 which is adapted to work through the H-slot of the casing. It is preferred, also, to equip the front, or outer end-wall of the casing, with a slidable closure 17, which is adapted to be moved upwardly in its guides to close the casing, after the handle 16 of the switch has been removed; and this closure is adapted to be locked by means of a lock 17 carried by the top plate of the casing. When the closureplate is locked to the top plate of the casing, the two parts,,of the casing are thereby secured against separation, while at the same time the H-slot of the casing is closed, so that access to the switch cannot be gained.

The lower portion of the pivot-shaft13 is shown equipped with a locking collar 18 provided with a segmental slot 18, which is normally engaged by a spring-projected locking bolt 18?, which is adapted to be retracted by a solenoid 19. The solenoid 19 is The casing is suitably se-- flanking the neutral contact.

of the lock is to prevent the controller-lever in an electric circuit which has aconductor 20 equipped with a pair of spring-contacts 21 and 22. These contacts are adapted to coact with contacts 23 and 23 carried by the gear-shifter B, and with contacts 24 and 24 carried by the gear-shifter C, as shown in Fig. 4. The contacts mounted to move with the gear-shifters are connected, through branch conductors 25, with the circuit of the solenoid 19. Fig. 4 represents the neutral positionof the gear-shifters.

The contacts 23 and 23 carried by the gearshifting rod B are disposed on opposite sides of the contact 21, and so positioned that when the gear-shifter B is moved in either direction a suflicient distance to cause meshing of the teeth of the gears, the circuit of the solenoid 19 will be established, thus causing the locking bolt 18 to be retracted, and leaving the switch-lever J free to be moved farther to complete the shifting of the gear. In Fig. 4 it will be noted that the segmental slot 18? is sufficiently large to enable. the lever J to be shifted a sufficient distance to establish a motor-circuit in one of the contacts of the controller immediately The purpose from being moved completely over the series of contacts in either direction, unless the gears move into mesh properly. When contact is established through the controller on either side of the neutral contact, the appropriate gear is shifted, but unless it can move into mesh, the circuit of the solenoid 19 will not be established, and it will be impossible to move the controller-lever farther over the switch-board. If, therefore, the operator finds the switch lever locked against movement, he naturally will retract it to the neutral position, and then move it forward again, thereby causing the gear to be oscillated very much as an operator feels his Wayin shifting a gear through the medium of-a hand-lever.

The gear-shifters B and C are provided with the usual interlock devices, or springheld pawls, 26, which releasably hold the gear-shifters in any operative position, or in the neutral position.

It will be noted from Fig. 7 that the motor-circuits and connections through the controller are such as to produce a certain polarity of the lower field-pole, and an opposite polarity of the upper field-pole, and at the same time to produce, when any armature-segment of the lower half of the armature is energized, a polarity which is the opposite of the polarity of the lower field-pole, while the polarity of the corresponding segments at the upper portion of the armature is the opposite of the polarity of the upper field pole. For the purpose of illustration, the lower field-pole is marked Negative. on Fig. 7, and the upper field-pole is marked Positive and which is indicated in provides for attraction. between the fieldpole and the armature-pole. If desired, the

Windings might be arranged to provide forpropulsion. It is further noted that the arrangement is such that the field-poles are of unchanging polarity, and that the armature-poles are of unchanging polarity; that is, if a certain polarity is selected, as for instance, that indicated in Fig. 7-, the operation. of the controller never changesthe si n of the polarity of any pole.

t will be noted, also, from Flg. 7, that the conductor constituting the winding of.

any segment of the armature is continued diametrically across the armature and Wound on the diametrically opposite armature-pole, the arrangement being such, how-- ever, as not to interfere with the oscillating movements of the armature. In practice, the external conductors leading to the'windings of the armature-poles are suitably taken into the armature from the shaft, in

- such manner as to not interfere with the oscillations of the armature. To prevent'the possibility of rupture in'any of the conductors, means may be provided for preventing the armature from making a complete revolution. Of course, inasmuch as the armature is geared directly to the reciprocating gear-shifter, the armature cannot turn beyond the limit imposed by the movement of the gear-shifter. However, if deslred, each armature-shaft may be provided with a stop 27, as shown in Fig. 7, this stop being adapted to engage either one of a pair of diametrically opposed stationary stops 27, depending upon the direction of oscillation of the armature.

Fig. 7 shows the diagram'of the up er series of contacts of the controller; and ig. 4 shows the diagram of the lower series of contacts of the controller. Referring to Fig. 7, the series of contacts there shown controls the shifting of the gear B of the transmission mechanism, that is, the intermediate speed and direct or hi h speed. If the controller lever J be shi ed over the contacts 2, 3 and 4, so as to successively transmit current through the conductors 2f, 3", and 4, the armature F will be rotated clockwise, viewing the armature from the outer end of the motor-casing, as shown in Fig. 2; and this will cause the gear-shifter B to be shifted rearwardly, thus carrying the gear B 1nto engagement with the gear D wh1ch corresponds with intermediate speed forward. If. on the other hand, thecontroller lever J be shifted over the contacts 5, 6, and 7, as shown in Fig.7, thus energlzing the wires 5, 6 and 7 successlvely, the armature F will rotatecounterclockwise, thus shifting the-gear-shifter B forwardly and carrying the gear B into en- 3, and4", the armature G will be rotated clockwise, thus shifting the gear-shifter C rearwardly, and carrying the gear G into engagement with the idler D so that the vehicle will move -rearwardly. On the other hand, if the controller-leverbe moved rearwardly in the lower slot, so as-to move over the contacts 5*, 6 and 7 the armature G will be rotated counter-clockwise, thus shlfting the gear-shifter C forwardly, and carrying the gear G? into 'mesh with the gear D thus establishing slow speed forward.

In practice, to start the vehicleiforwardly, the controller-lever J is swung downwardly about thepivot 14 into the lower member of the H-slot, and swung rearwardly to cause the gear C to be shifted into mesh with the gear D thus propelling the vehicle forward at slow speed; the controller-lever is then returned to the neutral positionand raised thrugh the-cross-slot, and then moved forwardly 1n the upper slot, thus causing the gear B to be shifted rearwardly into engagement with the gear D thus establishing intermediate speed forward; and finally the controller-lever is shifted to the rear end of the upperslot, thus causing the gear B to be shifted forward to engage the clutch K and establish direct drive. When the controller-lever is moved back to the central position, the neutral contact is engaged, and the armature is returned to its normal position; and when the controllerlever is allowed to assume its normal position of rest in the cross-slot of the H, the contact of the controller-lever with the neutral contact member is broken, so that current will not be consumed when the gears are in the neutral position. As indicated above, when the controller-lever is shifted in either direction from a central contactmember, it can move only the distance permitted by the electro-magnetic lock 18*, that is, far enough to establish contact with the first contact-member on either side of the neutral contact-member; and unless the gears move at once into registration, the circuit of the solenoid 19 will not be established. Thus, the operator will oscillate the controller-lever until the registration of the gears is established, and will'then con-' tinue the movement of the controller-lever toestablish the circuits in succession and complete the shifting operation of the gear.

The parts of the controller mechanism J are so formed and proportioned asshown that the lever J in its final movement in either direction over the contacts toward the-ends of either the upper or lower sections of the H-slot passes out qfiengagement with the last contact to break the circuit following the gear-shifting operation.

Fig. 1 represents a modified form of armature winding, operating on the same principle as the winding shown in Fig. 7; and while the form shown in Fig. 1 is slightly more diflicult to wind than that illustrated in Fig. 7, it provides for a smoother and more certain actuation of the armature. In Fig. 1*, F represents a motor provided with an armature having a preferred form of windings for the armaturepoles. The diagram will be more readily understood by applying the same reference characters used in Fig. 7 to correspond with parts in Fig. 1 The field-cores E and E are in the circuit of the conductor 8, as in Fig. 7. Each armature-pole is di vided into two parts, or segments. Thus, it will be seen from Fig. 1 that each of the armature-poles 1 and 1 is a double pole, composed of two small-arc segments, the arc of the double-pole corresponding approxi mately with the arc of the field-pole; and the windings of the conductor 1-- embrace the segments of the double poles. These poles 1 and 1 are the neutral poles of the armature, that is, they correspond with the neutral position of the gear-shifter and the neutral position of the controller-lever J The next conductor 2 is wound on one member of the double pole 1, and on the next adjacent small armature-segment, so that a part of the pole 2 is likewise a part of the pole 1 and on the other side of the armature the conductor 2 is wound on one member of the neutral pole 1 and on the next adjacent small segment of the armature, so that the pole 2 comprises one member of the pole 1 and the next adjacent segment of the armature. Again, the conductor 3 is wound on one member of the double pole 2 and on the next adjacent small segment; and at the opposite side of the armature said conductor 3 is wound on one member of the pole 2 and on the next adjacent segment of the armature. This system of winding is followed for the remainder of the armature windings. The result is to provide for energizing one member of the neutral'pole of the armature along with the next adjacent segment of the armature when the controllerlever isshifted from the neutral contact over the series of contacts, in either direction. This keeps one section of the energized armature-pole under the field pole, and within sure range of its attraction, thus providing for smoother actuation'of the armature and greater certainty ofactuation.

The circuits are connected with the controller and with the battery in exactly the same manner as illustrated in Fig. 7.

It will be understood, by reference to Fig. 7, that the contacts of the controller and the conductors leading therefrom when supplying the armature windings, constitute partial circuits adapted to be successively placed in series with the field windings of the motor through the conductor 8; In practice, the conductor 9 may be ground, if desired, and the corresponding pole of the battery may be ground. As indicated in Fig. 7, a resistance coil, or accumulator, 29, may be introduced into the circuit to guard against injury in case the controllerlever should be thoughtlessly left in position to close the circuit for an undue length of time.

When desired, the handle 16 of the controller-lever may be detached, and the closure-plate 17 may be moved into locked position, thus securely covering the H-slot, so that access to the controller mechanism cannot be gained by an unauthorized party.

The manner of winding the motor-circuits and connecting them with the controller, provides for an exceedingly simplified construction. It is unnecessary to provide for change in polarity, and it is also unnecessary to provide commutators for the armatures. Also, it is unnecessary to provide a plurality of switches, or any interlocking arrangement between the switches. A single controller-lever capable of swinging in two planes will serve to control all of the circuits. If desired, the conductor 8 may be .provided with a switch 28, corresponding with the usual switch employed, for instance, in an electric starting mechanism. This is unnecessary, however, as the electric gear-shifting mechanism may be wholly independent of the electric starting mechanism of the automobile, except, .of course,

that both systems may be connected with the same storage battery, if desired.

The electric gear-shifting mechanism described is simple, may be provided at moderate cost, -and may be operated without danger of injury to the transmitting mechanism. These aredesirable features in apparatus of this character.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible,'in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire vto secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In electric gear -shifting mechanism,

I the combination with a pair of gear-shifters,

of a pair of armatures having shafts equip- .ped with pinions geared to said gear-shifters, beyond one end of said armatures, one of said shafts being tubular and the other shaft extending. therethrough, and a controller controlling the actuation of said armatures.

2. The combination with the gear-case of transmission mechanism, of a pair of rackequipped gear-shifters mounted therein, a motor-case mounted'on said gear-case, armatures mounted in said motor-case and having shafts equipped with pinions engaging the racks'of said gear-shifters, one of said shafts being tubular and the other eXtend ing therethrough,field-poles in said motorcase, field coils for said field-poles, a series of armature coils for each armature, and a single controlling lever, the circuits being so arranged that by means of the controllerlever any selected partial circuit may be placed in series with the field-coils, thus .placing the corresponding armature coils in series with the field-coils.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth, the'combination of a gear-shifter, an armature having a shaft geared thereto and provided with a series of poles and with a series of windings for said poles, a controllerhaving a series of contacts and partial circuits connected with said windings, field-poles and windings therefor, and a controllerlever in electric connection with said field windings and adapted to make contact progressively with said contacts.

apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a gear-shifter, of an armature having a shaft geared thereto, a controller provided with a neutral contact having a partial circuit with windings for a neutral segment of said armature and having a series of contacts on each side of its neutral contact provided with partial circuits having windings for successive segments of the armature on each side of the neutral segment of the armature, field-poles equipped with windings, and a controllerlever in circuit with said field-windings and adapted to complete the circuit through any selected contact and the corresponding partial circuit, thus placing the corresponding armature winding in series with the field windings.

6. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of an armature provided with diametrically opposed neutral poles and with a series of poles on each side of each neutral pole, windings for said poles, a pair of field-poles and windings therefor, and means for establishing a circuit through any selected pair of armature windings, in-

cluding a controller, a controller-lever, and

circuit connections constructed and arranged to give to one field-pole a certain polarity and to the opposite field-pole a different polarity, and to enable the armature-poles at each side of the armature to receive, in succession, a polarity opposite that of the corresponding field-pole.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, thev combination of an armature provided with pairs of poles whose members are diametrically opposite each other, a conductor wound on one member of each pair of poles and extending across the armature and wound on the other of said poles, a controller provided with a neutral contact and witha series of contacts on eachiside of said neutral contact, each of said contacts being connected with the windings of the members of a corresponding pair of poles and constituting therewith a partial circuit, fieldpoles provided with windings, and a controller-lever in circuit with said field-windings and adapted to complete the circuit throu h any one of said'partial circuits.

8. fn apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of armatures, each armature having pairs of diametrically opposed poles, a controller-case provided with an H-slot, a controller-lever adapted to move in said H-slot, two series of contacts in said controller-case, each series corresponding with the position of the controller lever when moving in one member of the H-slot,

' a conductor connected with each contact of of the other armature, field-poles and windings therefor, and electric connection between, said field windings and said controller-lever, whereby any one of said partial circuits may be placed in series with said field windings. 7

' 9- In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of gear-shifters,

a pair of armatures geared thereto and having windings, a controller-case provided with an H-slot, a controller-lever having a universal support, permitting it to be moved in any portion of said H-slot, a series of contacts including a central neutral contact, said series co-acting with the controllerlever when it moves in one member of the H-slot, a second series of contacts, including a central neutral contact, said second series co-acting with said controlling lever when it moves in the other member of the H-slot, conductors leading from one series of said contacts to one armature and connecting with the windings of said armature and forming therewith partial circuits, conductors leading from the other series of contacts to the armature windings of the other armature and forming therewith a series of partial circuits, field-cores and windings therefor, and electrical connection between said field-cores and the controller-lever, whereby the field cores may be placed in series with any one of said partial circuits.

10. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of fieldcores and windings therefor, an armature provided with a series of independent overlapping windings, a controller provided with a neutral contact and a series of contacts on each side thereof, a conductor leading from each of said contacts and connected with the corresponding armature-winding and forming therewith a partial circuit, and a controller-lever in circuit with the field windings and adapted to complete the circuit through any one of said partial circuits.

11. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a motor provided with field-windings and provided with a series of overlapping armature windings, a controller having a controller-lever in circuit with said field-windings, and a series of contacts in said controller connected with the respective armature windings and forming a plurality of parallel partial circuits,

said controller-lever adapted to place any -one of said partial circuits in series with said field-windings.

12. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a motor provided with field-poles and windings therefor and provided with an armature having a pair of diametrically opposed neutral poles, each composed of two segments and having pairs of diametrically opposed segments flanking said neutral poles, a controller provided with a neutral contact, and a conductor leading therefrom and extended to provide windings for said neutral poles, said controller having also contacts flanking said neutral contact and provided with conductors, each extended and forming windings for one member of the neutral pole said contacts, conductors and armaturewindings forming parallel partial circuits, and a controller-lever in circuit with said field-windings and adapted to connect the same in series with any one of said partial circuits.

13. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, a motor having an armature geared to said gear-shifter, a controller controlling the operation of said armature, and releasable locking means for the controller-lever, dependent for its action upon movement of the gear-shifter. p

14. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear, a gear-shifter for shifting said gear, a motor having an armature geared to said shifter and provided with a series of segments adapted to be successively energized, a controller provided with a series of contacts, conductors connecting said contacts with said segments, a controller-lever adapted to move over said contacts, and a magnetically-controlled locking device for the controller-lever adapted to release the controller-lever only when said gear which is being shifted moves into registration with the companion gear.

15. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear, a gearshifter for shifting said gear, an armature having windings and provided with a neutral-position pole and with poles on each side of said neutral pole, a controller pro vided with a neutralposition contact and with contacts flanking said neutral-position contact, said contacts being in circuit with the corresponding armature windings, a controller-lever adapted to move from neutral device for said controller lever adapted to be released only after said gear which is being shifted has entered somewhat into mesh with the companion gear.

16. In gear-shifting apparatus, the combination of a gear-shifter, an armature for actuating the same, a controller case provided interiorly with a series of contacts and having a slot for the controller-lever to move in, a controller-lever mounted in said controller-case and having a detachable handle, a closure adapted to cover said slot when said handle is removed, and means for locking said closure.

17. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-case, gear-shifters reciprocably mounted therein, a detachable top for said gear-case, a motor-case having one end equipped with an attaching plate secured to one side of said gear-case and secured to said top, and a pair of armatures in said motor-case having shafts equipped with pinions meshing with racks on said forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an-

gear-shifters, one of said shafts being tubular and the other extending therethrough.-

'18. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of agear-shifter, an armature operatively connected with said gear-shifter for operating the latter, said armature having a series of armature coils,

field poles, a source of electric current sup-' ply, and a controller provided with a series of. contacts and partial circuits corresponding to, and connected with the armature coils and having an operating member, the circuits being so arranged that by means of the operating member any selected partial circuit may be energized from said supply.

19. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of gearshifters, a pair of armatures operatively connected with said gear-shifters for operating the latter; each armature having a series of armature coils, field poles, a source of electric current supply; and a controller provided with a series of contacts and partial circuits corresponding with the armature coils of each armature and having an operating member, the circuits being so arranged that by means of said operating member any selected partial circuit may be energized from said supply. a

20. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an armature operatively connected with said gear-shifter for operating the latter, said armature having pairs of poles diametrically opposed to eachother, field poles, and a controller having an operating member and provided with a series of contacts one of which is a neutral contact with others of-said contacts at opposite sides thereof, windings for each pair of armature poles and connected. with said contacts and constituting partial circuits, said operating member being adapted to complete the circuit through any one of said partial circuits.

21. In apparatus of the character set armature operatively connected with said gear-shifter for operating the latter, said armature havingpairs of poles diametrically opposed to each other, a conductor wound on one member of each pair of poles and extending across the armature and wound on the other of said poles, field poles, and a controller having an operating member and provided with a series of contacts one of which is' a neutral contact with others of said contacts at opposite sides thereof, each of said contacts being connected with the windings of a corresponding pair of poles and constituting partial circuits, said operating member being adapted to complete the circuit through any one of said partial circuits.

22. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an

armature operatively connected with said shifter for operating the latter, said armaplaced in series with the field coils, thus' placing the corresponding armature .coils in series with the field coils.

23. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of gearshifters, a pair of armatures operatively connected with said shifters for operating the latter, each armature having a series of armature coils, field poles and coils therefor, and a controller provided with a series of contacts and partial circuits corresponding with the armature coils and having a single controlling lever, the circuits being so arranged that by means of the controlling lever any selected partial circuit may be placed in series with the field coils, thus placing the corresponding armature coils in series with the field coils,

24:. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an armature operatively connected with said shifter for operating the latter, and provided with a series of poles and with a' series of windings for said poles, a controller having a series of contacts and partial circuits connected withsaid windings, field poles andwindings therefor, and a controller-lever in electric connection with said field windings and adapted to make contact progressively with said contacts.

25. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of armatures, each armature having pairs of diametrically opposed poles, a controller case containing an H-slot, a controller lever movable in said H-slot, two series of contacts in said controller case, each series corresponding with the position of said lever when moving in one member of the H-slot,-

26. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a pair of armatures each of which is formed with a plurality of pole pieces, a controller case having an i-l-slot, a controller lever operating in said slot, two series of contacts in said case, each series corresponding with the. position supply.

27. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an armature operatively connected with said gear-shifter for operating the latter, field poles, said armature having'a series of independent overlappingly-wound coils, a source of electric current supply, and a controller provided with a series of contacts and vpartial circuits corresponding to, and connected with, the armature coils and having an operating member, the circuits being so arranged that by means ofthe operating member any selected partial cir cuit maybe energized from said supply.

28'. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a gear-shifter, an armature operatively connected with said gear-shifter for operating the latter field poles and windings therefor, sai

armature having a series of independent overlappingly-wound coils, a source of electric current supply, and a controller havin a controller lever in circuit with said fiel windings, and a series of contacts connected with the respective armature coils and forming a plurality of partial circuits, said controller lever being adapted to place any one of said partial circuits in series with said field windings and be energized from said supply.

29; In an electric-gear shifting mechanism, the combination with the gear-case of transmission mechanism and gear-shifters mounted to reciprocate therein, of gearshifting apparatus comprising a pair of armatures carrying shafts extendingv transversely of said transmission mechanism and into said gear-case, means operatively connecting said shafts with said gear-shifters, means whereby said armatures are mounted on the gear-case, and a controller for said armatures.

30. In electric gear-shifting mechanism, the combination with the gear-case of transmission mechanism and a pair of gear-shifters mounted to reciprocate therein, of gear-shifting apparatus comprising a pair-of armatures mounted on the gearcase and having shafts equipped with pinions geared to said gear-shifters, one of said shafts being tubular and the other of said shafts extending therethrough, and a controller controlling the actuation of said armatures.

ASA J. TAYLOR, JR. 

